Special Edition Using Filemaker Pro 5 [Paperback]

Rich Coulombre (Author), Lisa Price (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0789722011 | ISBN-13: 978-0789722010 | Publication Date: January 17, 2000

Special Edition Using FileMaker Pro focuses on experienced developers who are looking for expert advice. The book provides you with in-depth techniques and helps you solve real-life problems. The book assumes a basic knowledge of FileMaker, but no knowledge of relational database theory or planning and designing a relational database. Topics covered include (all topics are taught with hands-on usage of FileMaker Pro): Understanding, planning and designing a relational database; maintaining the database; crafting a user interface; putting your database on the Web; and reporting.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Rich Coulombre and Jonathan Price, the authors of Special Edition Using FileMaker Pro 5, fight two battles. In the first, they strive to overcome dullness, complexity, and other traditional challenges of technical writers. They undoubtedly prevail here, with careful organization, clear prose, excellent sample material (both printed and on the companion CD-ROM), and helpful schema diagrams. The outcome of the secondary battle--the one for developers' minds, in which Coulombre and Price promote FileMaker Pro as a platform for serious work--remains to be determined, but there's no question that these two men make a strong case for the FileMaker environment. Read this volume if you're familiar with FileMaker and want to extend your knowledge, or if you're considering multiple database solutions and want to see what this one can do for you.

This top-quality technical book acknowledges that relational databases intimidate many people, and explains them with extreme clarity. Having done that, they proceed to unlock a library of FileMaker wisdom: Coulombre is a FileMaker consultant with a lot of experience. The coverage in this book is full of attention to the practicalities that make database programming interesting. A section on picking surnames out of long Spanish name strings is interesting and typical, as is a section called "Dumb Portal Tricks" that explains how to use portals to make interfaces much more capable without a lot of extra effort. Throughout, the authors emphasize detail and accuracy, and never forget that most of their readers are out to make a buck as developers for hire. --David Wall

Topics covered: FileMaker Pro 5 for Windows and Mac OS computers, and explained in terms that intermediate-level developers will understand and advanced developers will appreciate. Database planning, UI design, reporting, scripting, and Web integration. The authors emphasize programmers' tricks, miscellaneous hacks, and doing a high-quality job under commercial pressures.

From the Back Cover

Special Edition Using FileMaker Pro focuses on experienced developers who are looking for expert advice. The book provides you with in-depth techniques and helps you solve real-life problems. The book assumes a basic knowledge of FileMaker, but no knowledge of relational database theory or planning and designing a relational database. Topics covered include (all topics are taught with hands-on usage of FileMaker Pro): Understanding, planning and designing a relational database; maintaining the database; crafting a user interface; putting your database on the Web; and reporting.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Que (January 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789722011
• ISBN-13: 978-0789722010
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,287,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the beginner, February 13, 2001

By 

Harvey Waxman (Wickford, RI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Special Edition Using Filemaker Pro 5 (Paperback)

While I have to agree with others who have reviewed this book regarding its quality I would caution readers that having experience with conventional database programs might not be enough to take advantage of this book. The examples are generous and provide wonderful templates for some pretty sophisticated applications but some of the more basic and fundamental attributes of this particular program are given little space.

I am sure that it will be an excellent reference for someone with prior experience with FileMaker Pro but for a newcomer to FM Pro like myself it leaves a lot to be desired.

The flyleaf says 'for intermediate to advanced users'. Believe it!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Filemaker Book You'll Need, November 8, 2001

By 

Ben Finklea "Husband, Father, Author" (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Special Edition Using Filemaker Pro 5 (Paperback)

This review in brief: If you are planning on doing any project in FileMaker, this book will help you get the job done.

When I started my project, I had been using FileMaker as a user for years. I simply used databases that others had built. When I decided to start my own business, I chose FileMaker because of its ease-of-use reputation. I struggled for about a week before I decided that for some things this reputation holds. But, if you really want to make the most of FileMaker, the manual and help files just aren't enough.

Then, I bought Using FileMaker Pro 5.

I put my development efforts on hold for a long weekend and read the first 60%, re-reading the pieces important to me and skimming the rest. As the authors suggest, I then started out by planning my project on paper. I didn't go into all the detail they suggest but I did map out my files, records, and fields. I eventually purchased Microsoft Visio software for this task but that's another review...

Then, I sat down at my computer and started over.

Within 2 hours, I had recreated the clumsy work of that first frustrating week. Within 2 days, I had a workable customers database, products database, and order-entry system. Now, many weeks later (and a lot more development), I've automated tasks for my business that save me time and money. Things that used to take 30 minutes now take 3. I've got FileMaker picking the low price from amoung multiple suppliers, creating orders, invoicing customers, calculating profits, and reporting it all back to me. It makes me feel POWERFUL!

One area that I wish they had taken more time in is using the built in password and groups security. They touch on it, and even after reading it several times, I'm still not sure the best way to set up my files. Another good item would have been a succinct list of all the scripting functions and what they do. In their defense, it is available in the built in help screens but I like having it in a hard format.

The bottom line is simple: If you want to create some easy databases that will help you get the job done, FileMaker is the answer. To get the most out of FileMaker and turn it from an information storage application into a powerful tool to run your business (or other projects), Using FileMaker Pro 5 is the book you need.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally clear, exceptionally useful, November 5, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Special Edition Using Filemaker Pro 5 (Paperback)

I guess I'm an intermediate FileMaker Pro user: I've been using the program since before it was called FileMaker but although I use it on a daily basis it's strictly for my own use (we run our medical practice on a self-developed series of databases). I'm not a developer and have no clue how to use some of the most sophisticated capabilities of the program.

Having positioned myself in the middle of the spectrum of users I have to say that this book, like the one the authors wrote on FileMaker version 2, is entirely approachable, full of easy-to-apply tips, and a rock-solid source of inspiration and usable techniques that intermediates like me are likely to find invaluable. I too have Scriptology, but Coulombre and Price have a knack for explaining FileMaker that in my opinion no other authors match.